Imaging apparatus and imaging system

ABSTRACT

Because a conventionally known imaging apparatus includes a buffer element for each signal processing circuit, the number of buffer elements increases in proportion to the number of signal processing circuits. The delayed supply of a drive signal within a group of a plurality of signal processing circuits may require the operation timing margin to be set longer. In other words, the operational speed is hard to increase. First buffer circuits connected in series and second buffer circuits connected in parallel with the first buffer circuits are provided, and one second buffer circuit supplies a drive signal to a plurality of signal processing units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to imaging apparatuses, and itparticularly relates to an imaging apparatus having a signal processingcircuit provided correspondingly to a column of a pixel array.

2. Description of the Related Art

A generally known imaging apparatus has a signal processing circuit foreach column or a plurality of columns of a pixel array having an arrayof pixels in a matrix form and performs signal processing in parallel.The signal processing circuit performs processing such as CorrelatedDouble Sampling (CDS) and offset adjustment, amplification,analog/digital conversion (A/D conversion) on signals output frompixels.

For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-060036 discloses amethod for supplying a drive signal that drives a plurality of signalprocessing circuits. According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.2007-060036, buffer elements that transmit a drive signal are connectedin series within a group of a plurality of signal processing circuits toreduce the peak current and the number of buffer elements.

However, the configuration described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.2007-060036 has a buffer element for each signal processing circuit,which increases the number of buffer elements in proportional to thenumber of signal processing circuits. Moreover, the chip area increaseswhen it is formed on a semiconductor substrate.

The delayed supply of a drive signal within a group of signal processingcircuits may require the operation timing margin to be set longer. Inother words, the operational speed is hard to increase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the present inventionincludes a pixel array, a plurality of signal processing units each ofwhich is provided correspondingly to a column of the pixel array, and adrive signal transmitting unit which transmits a drive signal thatdrives the signal processing units. In this case, the drive signaltransmitting unit includes a plurality of first buffer circuits and aplurality of second buffer circuits, an output terminal of one of thefirst buffer circuits is connected to input terminals of another one ofthe first buffer circuits and one of the second buffer circuits, and thesecond buffer circuit supplies the drive signal of the plurality ofsignal processing units.

An imaging apparatus according to another aspect of the presentinvention includes a pixel array, a plurality of signal processing unitseach of which includes S (a natural number that is larger than 2) signalprocessing units, and a drive signal transmitting unit which transmits adrive signal that drives the signal processing units. In this case, thedrive signal transmitting unit includes a plurality of first buffercircuits and a plurality of second buffer circuits, an output terminalof one of the first buffer circuits is connected to input terminals ofanother one of the first buffer circuits and one of the second buffercircuits, and each of the second buffer circuits supplies the drivesignal to the signal processing units that are mutually different.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary configuration of an imaging apparatusaccording to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a signal processingunit and a drive signal transmitting unit according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a phase relationship between signals according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating an exemplaryconfiguration of a pixel.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary configuration of an amplifier and atransfer unit included in the signal processing circuit.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary configuration of an imaging apparatusaccording to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a phase relationship between signals according to thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary configuration of an imagingapparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a signal processingcircuit and a drive signal transmitting unit according to a thirdembodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary configuration of an imaging systemaccording to a fourth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary configuration of an imaging apparatusaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention. An exemplaryconfiguration having a pixel array 100 of m rows by n columns of pixels101, and signal processing circuits 102 in respective columns of thepixel array 100 will be described below.

Each of the pixels 101 includes a photoelectric conversion unit andoutputs a signal according to the charge amount acquired byphotoelectric conversion to a signal line VL. A row select circuit 103controls an operation of the pixels 101 in rows and controls operationsincluding reset of the pixels 101 and/or reading signals. The signalprocessing circuit group 104 that is a signal processing unit groupincludes a plurality of signal processing circuits 102 and processes asignal transmitted through the signal line VL. The signal processingcircuits 102 may have functions of noise reduction with CDS, signalamplification, and A/D conversion. A configuration having an A/Dconversion function may include a digital memory such as an SRAM (StaticRandom Access Memory) for temporarily holding a digital signal resultingfrom A/D conversion.

The signal processing circuits 102 operate in response to supply of adrive signal. A drive signal generated in a drive signal generating unit105 is transmitted to the signal processing circuits 102 through drivesignal transmitting units 106 and 109. In this case, each of the signalprocessing circuits 102 which are signal processing units includes anA/D converter and a digital memory, which are driven with differentdrive signals, for example. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a common drivesignal is supplied to the plurality of signal processing circuits 102included in one signal processing circuit group 104.

A signal output from one of the signal processing circuits 102 istransmitted to an output unit 112 through a transfer unit 111 and istransmitted from an output terminal 113 to a subsequent circuit. Thetransfer unit 111 includes a shift register or a decoder correspondingto a column of the pixel array 100 and has a function of selecting asignal processing circuit 102 to transmit a signal to the output unit112. The transfer unit 111 operates in response to a drive signalgenerated in the drive signal generating unit 105 and supplied throughthe drive signal transmitting unit 110.

Next, the drive signal transmitting units 106, 109, and 110 will bedescribed in detail. The drive signal transmitting unit 106 has aplurality of buffer blocks 107. One buffer block 107 is provided foreach of the signal processing circuit groups 104. Each of the bufferblocks 107 includes a first buffer circuit 108-1 and a second buffercircuit 108-2. The output of the first buffer circuit is connected tothe input of the first and second buffer circuits included in anotherbuffer block 107. The output of the second buffer circuit 108-2 is givenin parallel to a plurality of signal processing circuits of thecorresponding signal processing circuit group 104. In other words, thedrive signal transmitting unit 106 is connected to the plurality offirst buffer circuits 108-1 in series, and the second buffer circuit108-2 is provided in parallel with the first buffer circuit 108-1. Thatis, any one of the first buffer circuits 108-1 supplies a drive signalto another first buffer circuit 108-1 and the corresponding secondbuffer circuit 108-2.

The drive signal transmitting unit 109 includes first and second buffercircuits, like the drive signal transmitting unit 106. The second buffercircuit supplies a drive signal to the plurality of signal processingcircuits 102.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a connection relationship betweenany one of the signal processing circuit groups 104 and the bufferblocks of the drive signal transmitting units 106 and 109 associatedthereto. In this case, the signal processing circuit group 104 includesthree signal processing circuits 102, for example. Each of the signalprocessing circuits 102 includes an A/D converter 201 and a digitalmemory 202. A second buffer circuit of the drive signal transmittingunit 109 supplies a drive signal to the three digital memories 202. Thesecond buffer circuit of the drive signal transmitting unit 106 suppliesa drive signal to three A/D converters 201.

The drive signal transmitting unit 110 that is a third drive signaltransmitting unit includes first and second buffer circuits, like thedrive signal transmitting unit 106. The second buffer circuit supplies adrive signal to a transfer block. Each transfer block may include aplurality of shift registers, for example, and a common drive signal issupplied to them.

According to the configuration of this embodiment, because the secondbuffer circuit supplies a drive signal to a plurality of signalprocessing circuits and transfer blocks, the operation timing margin maybe reduced, and the increase of the number of buffer circuits may beprevented. The signal processing circuits or transfer blocks to which adrive signal is supplied from one second buffer circuit operatesimultaneously. However, the signal processing circuits to which drivesignals are supplied from different second buffer circuits operate indifferent timings, which may suppress peak current.

Supplying a drive signal from a common second buffer circuit to theplurality of signal processing circuits 102 is particularly effectivewhen the signal processing circuits 102 include A/D converters anddigital memories. This is because a comparator of the A/D converter maybe required to operate in synchronism with and digital memories andtherefore the phase relationship between the drive signals may berequired to maintain. A in this embodiment, because the buffer blocks ofthe drive signal transmitting units 106 and 109 supply drive signals tothe same signal processing circuit group 104, the phase relationshipbetween the drive signals may be maintained in the signal processingcircuit group 104. In other words, the signal phases may be controlledmore easily. According to this embodiment, the drive signal transmittingunit 106 that is a first drive signal transmitting unit and the drivesignal transmitting unit 109 that is a second drive signal transmittingunit include an equal number of first buffer circuits, for example,which allows an equal delay time occurring between them. The expression“equal delay time” refers to a phase difference within one cycle betweensignals transmitted by two drive signal transmitting units where thedrive signals has F [Hz].

Next, the number S of the signal processing circuit groups 104 will bedescribed in a case where the signal processing circuits 102 include A/Dconverters. In a known A/D converter, an analog signal to be convertedand a reference signal which changes slopewise with the passage of timeare input to a comparator, and the number of clocks input to a counteris counted during the period from the start of a change of the referencesignal to inversion of the magnitude relationship between the analogsignal and the reference signal. When a plurality of A/D convertershaving such a configuration are provided and clock signals to be givento the A/D converters delay one cycle or more, different digital signalsare generated from analog signals at an equal level. This may appear asa shading in an image in the row direction in an imaging apparatus.

FIG. 3 illustrates a drive signal transmitting unit and waveforms ofsignals at nodes A to D. It is assumed here, for example, that a signalto be transmitted by the drive signal transmitting unit is a clocksignal for controlling the counting operation in the A/D converter. Whenthe clock signals have a frequency of F [Hz] and a phase differenceequal to one cycle, that is, 1/F [sec] or more occurs among all of thesignal processing circuits 102, the A/D conversion results may differamong the signal processing circuits. A case will be considered underthis constraint, where the delay time that occurs in the first buffercircuit is t1 [sec] and the delay time that occurs in the second buffercircuit is t2 [sec], and N signal processing circuits 102 exist.

It is assumed that the node A receives a drive signal output from thedrive signal generating unit 105. Further assuming that the node B isone subsequent stage of the first buffer circuit, the node C is a nodethrough the node B, and the node D is a node through the final secondbuffer circuit, a shorter delay time than 1/F [sec] may be requiredbetween the node A and node D because of the constraint above. This maybe mathematically expressed as Expression (1).(N/S−1)−t1+t2<1/F  (1)

Designing such that the number S of the signal processing circuit groups104 is a natural number that satisfies Expression (1) may prevent theoccurrence of a shading. The condition is preferably satisfied thoughclock signals for A/D converters have been described for illustrationpurpose.

FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating an exemplaryconfiguration of one of the pixels 101. The pixel 101 has aphotoelectric conversion unit PD, a transfer transistor TX, a resettransistor RES, an amplifier transistor SF, and a select transistor SEL.When the transfer switch TX is driven by the transfer pulse PTX and isbrought into conduction, charges generated in the photoelectricconversion unit PD are transferred to a node FD of a control electrodeof the amplifier transistor SF. When the reset switch RES is driven by areset pulse PRES and is brought into conduction, the node FD is reset tothe power supply voltage VDD. When the row select switch SEL is drivenby a row select pulse PSEL and is brought into conduction, the amplifiertransistor forms a constant current source and a source followercircuit, not illustrated, and outputs a signal according to thepotential of the node FD to the signal line VL.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary configuration of an amplifier and atransfer unit included in the signal processing circuit. The amplifier130 includes a differential amplifier DIF, an input capacitance C0,feedback capacitances 121 a to 121 c, and a short switch 1009. Thefeedback capacitance which connects between an inverting input terminaland an output terminal of the differential amplifier DIF may be selectedwith a signal x 1, x 2, or x 4. The gain of the amplifier 130 depends onthe ratio between the capacitance and capacitance value of the inputcapacitance C0. When the short switch 1009 is brought into conduction,the differential amplifier DIF operates as a voltage follower. In thiscase, the output and input capacitances may be used to clamp the signaloutput from the pixel. This allows reduction of noise occurring in thepixel.

The transfer unit includes holding capacitances 112 s and 112 n. One ofthem is caused to hold the offset of the amplifier 130, and the other iscaused to hold the signal amplified by the amplifier 130. Removing thedifference between them by the differential amplifier provided in theoutput unit, for example, may reduce the offset of the amplifier 130.When the signal processing circuit includes an A/D converter, it may beprocessed as a digital signal by eliminating the holding capacitance.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the increase of thenumber of buffer elements may be suppressed, and the operational speedmay be increased.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary configuration of an imaging apparatusaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention. It isdifferent from the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 in that the drivesignal transmitting unit 109 is replaced by a drive signal transmittingunit 401. The differences from the first embodiment will be describedbelow.

According to the first embodiment, one buffer block of the drive signaltransmitting unit 109 is provided for the signal processing circuits 102in three columns. According to this embodiment on the other hand, onebuffer block of the drive signal transmitting unit 401 is provided forthe signal processing circuits 102 in N/2S columns. According to thefirst embodiment, a drive signal transmitted through the drive signaltransmitting unit 109 may be required to maintain a phase relationshipwith a high frequency drive signal transmitted through the drive signaltransmitting unit 106. For that, the drive signal transmitting unit 109has one buffer block for the equal number of signal processing circuits102 to that of the drive signal transmitting units 106.

On the other hand, when a signal transmitted through the drive signaltransmitting unit 401 has a low frequency, a smaller number of bufferblocks than that of the drive signal transmitting units 106 fortransmitting high frequency drive signals may be included in the drivesignal transmitting unit 401. The same is true in a case where drivesignals transmitted by the different drive signal transmitting unit arenot required to have the same phase. FIG. 7 illustrates waveforms ofdrive signals transmitted through the drive signal transmitting units106, 109, and 401, for comparison with the first embodiment. A phaserelationship is maintained between drive signals transmitted by thedrive signal transmitting units 106 and 109. On the other hand, thephase relationship is not maintained between the drive signalstransmitted by the drive signal transmitting units 106 and 401. Examplesof drive signals to be transmitted through the drive signal transmittingunit 401 may include a signal required for an operation by a CDS circuitwhen the signal processing circuit 102 includes the CDS circuit, asignal for resetting a comparator when an ADC is included, and a signalfor resetting a digital memory or latching the count value.

In some configurations of the signal processing circuit 102, asillustrated in FIG. 8, one buffer circuit 601 or 602 may supply a signalto the signal processing circuits 102 in all columns. Examples of thesignal may include a signal for setting a gain of the amplifier includedin the signal processing circuit 102, a signal for designating anoperation mode, and a start pulse of the shift register.

In other words, the number of buffer circuits included in the drivesignal transmitting units may be set in accordance with the type of adrive signal, instead of transmission of all signals supplied to thesignal processing circuits 102 with an equal number of buffer blocks.Thus, the area to be occupied by the buffer circuits and the powerconsumption may be optimized.

With reference to FIG. 9, a third embodiment of the present inventionwill be described.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary configuration of the signal processingcircuit group 104. A phase management may sometimes be required inassociation with a signal resulting from multiplication or division of adrive signal supplied from the drive signal transmitting unit 106.Accordingly, this embodiment further includes a frequency convertingunit 701.

Because buffer circuits included in drive signal units have variationsand different parasitic loads, maintaining a phase relationship betweendrive signals is difficult particularly when the drive signals have ahigh frequency. According to this embodiment on the other hand, the useof the frequency converting unit 701 facilitates maintaining a phaserelationship. The frequency converting unit may be a PLL circuit orclock division circuit, for example.

The imaging apparatuses according to the aforementioned embodiments maybe formed on a semiconductor substrate, for example. The drive signalgenerating unit may be provided on a separate semiconductor substratefrom that for the pixel array, signal processing units, and drive signaltransmitting units, without requiring all elements provided on onesubstrate.

Next, an imaging system according to a fourth embodiment will bedescribed schematically with reference to FIG. 10.

An imaging system 1000 may include an optical unit 1010, an imagingapparatus 1001, a video signal processing control unit 1030, arecording/communication unit 1040, a timing control unit 1050, a systemcontrol unit 1060, and a reproduction/display unit 1070, for example.The imaging apparatus 1001 may be the imaging apparatus having describedaccording to any one of the aforementioned embodiments.

The optical unit 1010 which is an optical system such as a lens forms animage of light from a subject on a pixel array in which a plurality ofpixels are aligned two-dimensionally of the imaging apparatus 1001 andforms an image of the subject. The imaging apparatus 1001 outputs asignal according to the light formed on the pixel unit at a timing basedon a signal from the timing control unit 1050.

A signal output from the imaging apparatus 1001, is input to the videosignal processing control unit 1030 that is a video signal processingunit. The video signal processing control unit 1030 performs processingsuch as AD conversion on an input electric signal by a method determinedby a program. The signal resulting from processing by the video signalprocessing control unit is fed to the recording/communication unit 1040as image data. The recording/communication unit 1040 passes the signalfor forming an image to the reproduction/display unit 1070, and thereproduction/display unit 1070 is caused to reproduce/display a movingpicture or a still image. In response to a signal from the video signalprocessing control unit 1030, the recording/communication unit alsocommunicates with the system control unit 1060 and records an signal forforming an image on a recording medium, not illustrated.

The system control unit 1060 controls over an operation of the imagingsystem and controls the driving of the optical unit 1010, timing controlunit 1050, recording/communication unit 1040, and reproduction/displayunit 1070. The system control unit 1060 further includes a storagedevice, not illustrated, that is a recording medium, for example, and aprogram for controlling an operation of the imaging system is recordedtherein. The system control unit 1060 supplies a signal for switchingthe drive mode in accordance with an operation by a user, for example,within the imaging system. More specifically, the user operation may bea change of a row to be read or to be reset, a change of the field anglewith an electronic zoom, the shift of the field angle with electronicimage stabilization, for example.

The timing control unit 1050 controls the driving timing for the imagingapparatus 1001 and video signal processing control unit 1030 under thecontrol of the system control unit 1060 that is a control unit.

The video signal processing control unit 1030 holds a correctioncoefficient according to any one of the embodiment and performscorrection processing on a signal output from the imaging apparatus1001.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2011-130266 filed Jun. 10, 2011, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An imaging apparatus comprising: a pixel array; afirst signal processing group and a second signal processing group eachof which includes a plurality of signal processing units each of whichis provided correspondingly to a column of the pixel array; and a drivesignal transmitting unit which transmits a drive signal that drives thesignal processing units, and which includes a plurality of first buffercircuits and a plurality of second buffer circuits, wherein an outputterminal of one of the plurality of second buffer circuits is connectedto the first signal processing group not via any other buffer circuit,and an output terminal of another one of the second buffer circuits isconnected to the second signal processing group not via any other buffercircuit, and wherein an output terminal of one of the plurality of firstbuffer circuits is connected to an input terminal of the one of theplurality of second buffer circuits and an input terminal of another oneof the plurality of first buffer circuits, and an output terminal of theanother one of the plurality of first buffer circuits is connected to aninput terminal of the another one of the plurality of second buffercircuits.
 2. An imaging apparatus comprising: a pixel array; a signalprocessing group including a plurality of signal processing units eachof which is provided correspondingly to a column of the pixel array; anda drive signal transmitting unit which transmits a drive signal thatdrives the signal processing units, and which includes a plurality offirst buffer circuits and a plurality of second buffer circuits, whereinan output terminal of one of the plurality of first buffer circuits isconnected to input terminals of another one of the first buffer circuitsand one of the plurality of second buffer circuits, wherein an equalnumber of the plurality of first buffer circuits supply the drive signalto each of the plurality of signal processing units included in thefirst signal processing group, and wherein an equal number of theplurality of second buffer circuits supply the drive signal to each ofthe plurality of signal processing units included in the first signalprocessing group.
 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe drive signal transmitting unit includes a first drive signaltransmitting unit and a second drive signal transmitting unit; and thefirst drive signal transmitting unit and the second drive signaltransmitting unit have an equal number of the second buffer circuits. 4.The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the drive signaltransmitting unit includes a first drive signal transmitting unit and asecond drive signal transmitting unit; the second drive signaltransmitting unit includes the second buffer circuits less than thefirst drive signal transmitting unit; and the second drive signaltransmitting unit transmits a drive signal with a lower frequency thanthat of the first drive signal transmitting unit.
 5. The imagingapparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a third drive signaltransmitting unit which supplies the drive signal to the plurality ofsignal processing circuits, wherein the third drive signal transmittingunit transmits a drive signal with a lower frequency than that of thesecond drive signal transmitting unit.
 6. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the drive signal transmitting unitincludes a first drive signal transmitting unit and a second drivesignal transmitting unit; and the first drive signal transmitting unitand the second drive signal transmitting unit have an equal delay time.7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising afrequency converting unit which converts the frequency of the drivesignal supplied from the second buffer circuit.
 8. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the frequency converting unit includes aclock division circuit or a PLL circuit.
 9. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the signal processing unit has at leastone function of noise reduction, amplification, and A/D conversion on asignal output from the pixel array.
 10. The imaging apparatus accordingto claim 1, further comprising: an output unit; and a transfer unitwhich transfers a signal output from the signal processing unit to theoutput unit, wherein the transfer unit selects the signal processingunit to transfer a signal to the output unit through a shift register ora decoder.
 11. The imaging apparatus according to claim 10, the drivesignal transmitting unit further supplies the drive signal to thetransfer unit.
 12. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a drive signal generating unit which generates the drivesignal and supplies it to the drive signal transmitting unit.
 13. Theimaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus isformed on a semiconductor substrate.
 14. An imaging system comprising:the imaging apparatus according to claim 1; an optical system whichforms an image on the pixel array; and a video signal processing unitwhich processes a signal output from the imaging apparatus and togenerate image data.
 15. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1,wherein each of the plurality of signal processing units has an A/Dconverter configured to convert a signal output from the pixel array toa digital signal.
 16. The imaging apparatus according to claim 15,wherein the first and second signal processing groups each include S (anatural number that is larger than 2) signal processing units, whereinthe A/D converter operates based on a clock signal, and wherein the Ssatisfies a relationship of(N/S−1)×t1+t2<1/F where the number of the signal processing groups isequal to N; a delay time of a signal by the first buffer circuits is t1;a delay time of a signal by the second buffer circuits is t2; and afrequency of the clock signal is F.
 17. The imaging apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein a phase relationship between drive signals that areinput to each of the plurality of signal processing units is equallymaintained in the first signal processing group.